The reaction of 1-bromo-3,5-dimethyladamantane (I) with Li in ethyl ether gives the corresponding lithium derivative, which is treated with NH2-Cl (II) to afford the target 1-aminoadamantane.
By heating of 3,5-dimethyl-1-chloroadamantane (I) with urea (II) at 165-85 C.